Community, Participation & Volunteering Manager

National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty; Wilmslow; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 37,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension up to 10%

Free entry passes

Season ticket loan

EV car lease

Discounts at work

Holiday allowance 32 days

Job summary

National Trust Quarry Bank seeks a Community, Participation & Volunteering Manager to strengthen ties with local communities, broaden participation and create rewarding volunteering experiences both on and off-site.

You will lead community participation work, guide the strategy using audience insight, and help shape partnerships with local organisations and volunteers. This is a fixed-term role with flexible 15 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Understanding of good practice in community engagement and stakeholder management.
• Knowledge of volunteer engagement and participation approaches.
• Proven experience in partnership working and managing internal and external stakeholders through change.
• Ability to think strategically and use data/insight to engage different audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead our community participation work and support the Volunteer Experience Co-ordinator.
• Influence leadership to create accountability for community and participation priorities.
• Manage existing partnerships and relationships; identify new opportunities.

Skills

Community engagement

Stakeholder management

Volunteer engagement

Strategic thinking

Partnership development

Job description

Quarry Bank is a place shaped by people - those who lived and worked here historically, the communities around us today, and the volunteers who help bring the place to life.
We’re looking for a Community, Participation & Volunteering Manager to help us build stronger relationships with those communities, widen participation and create rewarding ways for people to get involved.
The Quarry Bank story is of the early Industrial Revolution, when society stood at a turning point.

Where once cotton was spun at home now the mill stood as the beating heart of industrial production; a powerhouse of noise and vibration. It is a place of striking contrasts: industry and nature, a deep river valley and working farmland, a noisy mill next to a picturesque garden.

Our main focus is telling the story of the first 50 years of Quarry Bank and the people who lived and worked here.

What it's like to work here

We have over 250,000 visitors a year who come and enjoy all we have to offer here at Quarry Bank, plus a friendly and committed staff and volunteer team who’ll be waiting to welcome you on board.
Our site is enjoyed by many local repeat visitors, as well as tourists and large numbers of school groups. We also have a small conference facility and host a number of training and meeting events each year.

Styal village is part of our estate with a primary school, two churches and a number of cottages, so it’s a vibrant local community that you’ll be working with.
Click here for more information about this location

Hours: 15 hours per week, with occasional weekend and evening working required.
Contract: This is a fixed term contract due to end when the postholder returns to the role.At this point we cannot confirm exactly how long this contract will last, but it is unlikely to be more than 12 months
Location: You will primarily be based at Quarry Bank but some working from home may be possible
Work Pattern: Your work pattern can be flexible in terms of how the 15 hours are spread -for example, we are open to someone working two full days or 3 shorter days. We’d be happy to discuss these details with you if shortlisted.
Salary: £34,000 per annum (pro rata to 15 hours per week, approximately £13,600 per year)

What you'll be doing

You’ll be leading our community participation work and supporting our Volunteer Experience Co‑ordinator in creating positive volunteering experiences both on and off the property.

As an active member of the Property Leadership team you’ll influence the team to create a collective sense of accountability for community, volunteering and wider participation, as well as using audience insight to develop a clear strategic plan and set clear priorities for our work in this area.

You’ll manage our existing partnership and community and relationships as well as looking for new opportunities.

Who we're looking for

We’re looking for an individual who has:

• An understanding of good practice in community engagement and stakeholder management
• Knowledge of volunteer engagement, innovation in volunteering and different approaches to participation
• Proven experience of partnership working and managing both internal and external stakeholders through change
• An ability to think strategically and use data and insight to decide how and when to engage different audiences
• A proven track record for building effective and collaborative working relationships with leadership peers, wider teams and external partners

Interviews will be taking place on Friday 20th November

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

National Trust place

Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, Wilmslow, SK9 4LA

Documents

Community, Participation & Volunteering Manager - Grade 7.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: Sunday 8th November 2026
Proposed Interview Date: Friday 20th November 2026

Please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at [e-mail] if you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties.

If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at [e-mail] and we’ll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.